23457 - Communication Manager

### Salary
The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Job description

Wales Office

Job Description for Communication Manager

Job Title: Communication Manager

Pay Grade: SEO

Salary: £42,914 - £46,182 (National) / £49,325 - £53,081 (London) Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Location: Ty William Morgan, Cardiff, CF10 1EP / Gwydyr House, London, SW1A 2NP

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Communication

Clearance: SC (See Additional Information)
About the Wales Office:
The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and the Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.

Our departmental values are Commitment, Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding, and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency and professionalism.

The Wales Office has two sites, one in Cardiff and one in Whitehall. The successful candidate will be based in Cardiff or London, but travel between sites and elsewhere may be required in order to build relations with colleagues and stakeholders.

About the team:

The Wales Office Communications Team is a high-performing team that helps connect people across Wales with the work of the UK Government. We provide strategic communication advice to ministers and senior officials, manage media relations, deliver digital and social media content, and support ministerial visits and events.

Working at the heart of government, we collaborate closely with colleagues across Whitehall and the Government Communication Service to ensure UK Government delivery is communicated clearly, effectively and in ways that matter to Welsh audiences. We combine insight, evaluation, creativity and strong news judgement to deliver communication that is audience-focused, evidence-led and impactful.

The team is ambitious about modern government communications. Alongside supporting ministers and managing daily media activity, we are increasingly focused on direct-to-citizen communication, using digital channels and partnerships to tell authentic stories about the impact of UK Government policies and investment in communities across Wales.

As part of a small team, you will have the opportunity to work across multiple communication disciplines, take ownership of significant projects and develop strong relationships with senior decision-makers. No two days are the same, making this an ideal role for a communicator who enjoys variety, challenge and the chance to make a visible impact.

About the Role:

The Wales Office is seeking an experienced integrated communicator to play an important role in developing and delivering strategic communication that supports UK Government priorities across Wales.

You will develop expert communication advice for ministers and senior officials, helping to shape and deliver integrated communication strategies that build understanding of UK Government priorities and their impact across Wales.

This is a varied role spanning strategic communication, media relations, campaigns, digital communication and reputation management. You will work across disciplines to ensure communication activity is insight-driven, audience-focused and aligned with wider UK Government objectives.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting the Head of Communication to develop and deliver longer-term communication strategies across Wales Office priority policy areas. The successful candidate will lead the development of thematic communication plans, ensuring activity is informed by audience insight, aligned to ministerial priorities and evaluated to demonstrate impact and continuous improvement.

By joining a communications team, you will become a member of the Government Communication Service , a profession of over 7,000 communicators working in government departments, agencies and arm’s length bodies. You’ll benefit from continuous professional development from our new learning and development curriculum, a network of skilled communicators sharing best practice, mentoring opportunities, and more.

For more information on how becoming a part of the Communications Profession can support your career and development please visit the GCS careers page .

Key Responsibilities

We are looking for motivated and creative individual to join us and embark on an exceptional career in government communications.

Your key responsibilities will include:

- Strategic communication – support the Head of Communications in developing and delivering long-term communication strategies across priority policy and thematic areas, ensuring communication activity supports ministerial objectives and organisational priorities.
- Insight and evaluation – lead the development of audience insight, evaluation and communication performance reporting. Use evidence and data to shape communication activity, identify opportunities and provide strategic recommendations to senior leaders.
- Press office resilience and reputation management – provide expert media handling support, contribute to proactive and reactive communications activity, support major announcements and issues management, and provide resilience during periods of high operational demand, including participation in the out-of-hours rota.
- Relationships – develop and maintain strong working relationships with ministers, private offices, special advisers, senior officials, journalists, stakeholders and other government departments.
- Prioritising – understand government, departmental and ministerial priorities so you can communicate key messages clearly, accurately and creatively.
- Each member of the team takes part in an on-call system, for which there is an allowance, to take calls out-of-hours from the media. This is done on a rotational basis, and full training will be given.

The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.

Person Specification

Please evidence how closely you match the essential criteria in your Statement of Suitability, which is up to 750 words.

Essential:

- Experience of developing strategic communication strategies that support organisational and ministerial objectives.
- Experience of using audience insight, research, evaluation and performance data to develop communication activity and measure success.
- Experience of providing strategic communication advice to senior stakeholders.
- Ability to identify emerging risks and opportunities and translate complex issues into effective communication approaches.
- Excellent understanding of the national news agenda, social media landscape and communication handling; strong news judgement and political awareness.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality content for a range of audiences and channels
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills - producing high-quality written content such as statements, press releases and briefings, for a range of different stakeholders and audiences.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, comfortable managing multiple priorities and working to tight deadlines.
- Strong networking skills with the confidence in building and maintaining a network of internal and external contacts.
- Strong team collaboration skills, work effectively as part of a team; contributing to shared goals, supporting colleagues and fostering a positive team environment.

Desirable:

- An ability to speak and write proficiently in the Welsh language is desirable for this post.

Recruitment Process:

This campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework. You will need to provide evidence in your application to cover the following behaviours:

- Seeing the Big Picture (Lead Behaviour) (Application & Interview)
- Communicating and Influencing (Interview Only)
- Delivering at Pace (Interview Only)

In the event of a high volume of applicants, we will sift only on the lead behaviour to create a shortlist for interview.

Technical Skills

We'll assess you against these Government Communication Service (GCS) technical skills during the selection process:

- Ideas: Turning evidence, insight and policy objectives into effective communication strategies.
- Impact: Evaluating communication activity and using evidence to improve future performance.

Additional Information

The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right and staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.

This role requires SC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (SC) must be resident in the UK for 5 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years), you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.

If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:

- You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.
- You were studying abroad.
- You were living overseas with parents.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map . All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/tax-free-childcare) or Childcare Choices (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/) . You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) );
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ( [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) );
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/) )

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos .

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fsettled-status-eu-citizens-families&data=05%7C01%7Cchristopher.jeffery%40soprasteria.com%7C8a2293860362402c15da08dbf4cff146%7C8b87af7d86474dc78df45f69a2011bb5%7C0%7C0%7C638372946312587803%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s%2BxUsev%2BGeeK%2FLgTUjpjfTJu%2FjpKQZ%2BQPJXNduvik3Q%3D&reserved=0)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference: 23457

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference: 23457

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.